Obstacles when facing ISO 14001 EMS implementation for organizations in developing countries : A case study about Stora Enso’s agro-forestry project in Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic

Abstract: Today many global dilemmas are stemming from organizations’ business activities. In addition, many corporations’ have realized the importance to aspire a green-public image in combination with cutting possible liability costs. Therefore, many companies are interested to participate in the attempts of reducing the impacts related to their business activities. However, at the same time organizations are facing many constraints in the transformation towards environmentally aware and responsible organizations. Therefore, companies often strive to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) in order to achieve organizational guidance when establishing, developing and reviewing their business practices towards both corporate and environmental goals. The theories discussed in this master thesis discloses that the implementation process of an EMS often requires a cultural revolution in organizations, which can be a challenge especially for companies present in developing countries, where environmental issues often are marginalized due to low levels of environmental awareness and weak institutions. The purpose of this master thesis identifies potential obstacles in facing ISO 14001 EMS for Stora Enso’s agro-forestry project in Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the efforts that would stimulate the adoption facing ISO 14001 EMS. This was analyzed through a combination of a qualitative text analysis of scientific papers and a case study with eight semi-structured interviews with managers from Stora Enso Lao Co., Ltd. This study points out limited availability of support and resources, unclear policies, constrained participation and communication, inadequate knowledge about environmental management and ISO 14001 EMS as the potential obstacles for Stora Enso Lao Co., Ltd to tackle. Therefore, in order to stimulate the adoption of ISO 14001 EMS the potential efforts suggested in this master thesis are more money in order to promote environmental training and organizational changes in terms of increased participation of employees and communication between internal and external stakeholders.